Printing Blue instead of black

[Katrina6567]

Can someone please help me figure out why I cannot print in black? I moved and now my printer has decided it doesn't want to connect to anything but when it does it prints in blue instead of black. HP says I have enough Ink. 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Katrina6567,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like a frustrating issue, but there are a few common reasons why your printer might be printing in blue instead of black, even if you have enough ink. Let's go through some troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Ink Levels and Cartridges

Even though HP says you have enough ink, sometimes the cartridge can be clogged or improperly seated.

• Remove and Reinsert the Cartridges: Turn off the printer, remove the black ink cartridge, and then reinsert it. Ensure it clicks into place correctly.
• Clean the Cartridge: Use a soft cloth to gently clean the electrical contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer where the cartridge goes.

2. Printer Settings

Sometimes the printer settings can cause this issue.

• Print Settings: Go to your printer settings on your computer.
  • For Windows: Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click your printer > Printer Preferences > Check if the settings are set to print in grayscale or black and white.
  • For Mac: System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Select your printer > Options & Supplies > Driver > Check if there’s an option to print in black and white.

3. Driver Issues

Ensure that your printer driver is up to date.

• Update Driver: Visit the HP support website and download the latest driver for your specific printer model.
• Reinstall Driver: Sometimes reinstalling the driver can solve the problem. Uninstall the current driver and reinstall it.

4. Print Head Cleaning

The print head might be clogged, especially if the printer hasn’t been used for a while.

• Print Head Cleaning Utility: Most HP printers come with a built-in utility to clean the print heads. Access this through the printer’s software on your computer.

5. Reset the Printer

Sometimes a simple reset can fix the issue.

• Power Cycle: Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in and turn it on.

6. Firmware Update

Outdated firmware can cause printing issues.

• Update Firmware: Check the HP support website for any firmware updates for your printer model and follow the instructions to update.

7. Printer Alignment

Improper alignment can cause issues with printing.

• Align the Printer: Use the printer’s control panel to run an alignment test. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

8. Test Print

After trying the above steps, print a test page.

• Print a Test Page: This can usually be done from the printer’s control panel or from the printer settings on your computer.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support